Citing an unidentified league source, NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora reported that it’s highly unlikely injured running back Reggie Bush will play in Sunday night’s nationally-televised game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Superdome.

Bush has missed the past five games while recovering from a fractured right fibula. He had hoped to practice on a limited basis Wednesday but the most he could do was work on a step-climbing machine and a stationary bike.

The former 2005 Heisman Trophy winner did not come into the locker room during the 45-minute media access following the team’s indoor practice.

Payton told reporters Wednesday that Bush did some running on his own Monday and Tuesday.

“He did some (running) today as well,’’ Payton said. “We just keep taking it day-to-day and monitoring the progress, monitoring the next day after the workout, and kind of go from there.”

Rookie center/guard Matt Tennant (D-5) worked with the first unit in Goodwin's absence.

WORTH REPEATING

“We’re running a long race here. We’re 4-3 and that’s the bad news. Yet to some degree what’s encouraging is that we haven’t played our best football and we’re a game off our division lead and a game off the NFC’s best record.’’ _ Sean Payton.

ITS SAFE TO SAY THAT PT BROKE HIS ANKLE. HE'S NOT RUNNING OR CLIMBING OR NOTHING.NO NEWS IS HORRIBLE NEWS TO ME. WHY CAN'T THEY LET BUSH SPRINT RIGHT OR LEFT TO DRAW ATTENTION OPEN HOLES SOMETHING SAFE.